The Wilkes women's tennis team improved to 2-0 with a 5-4 win over Lebanon Valley, winning two doubles matches and three singles contests. 

           
In doubles play, Victoria Bybel (Lancaster, Pa./Lancaster Mennonite) and Kristin Wilt (Milton, Pa./Milton), playing at the No. 2 position, shut out Kelly Moll and Jan White, 8-0. Michelle Knight (Washington, Pa./Trinity) and Rebekah Shanaman (Richland, Pa./ELCO) made it 2-0 with an 8-3 win over Charissa Nordall and Sara Wagner at No. 3 doubles. The Lady Dutchmen got their first point from Sarah Grodzinski and Shayna Heintzelman with a 9-8 (9-7) win over Xiaoqiao Zhang (Zhengzhou City, China/Warren Hills (N.J.)) and Alison McDonald (Duncannon, Pa./Susquenita) at No. 1 doubles. 

           
In singles play, Zhang made it 3-1 with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Moll at No. 2 singles before McDonald took a 6-1, 6-4 win over Nordal. Knight clinched the match at No. 5 singles with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Heintzelman. 

           
Even though the match was clinched, Lebanon Valley kept it close with wins at No. 1, 4 and six singles positions. 

           
“I knew they would be a good test for us,” head coach Chris Leicht said. “I am glad we won this close match. We will use this as a spring board as we enter our tough conference matches.” 

 

1. Sarah Grodzinski (LVC) def. Victoria Bybel (Lancaster, Pa./Lancaster Mennonite) (Wilkes) 6-2, 6-2

2. Xiaoqiao Zhang (Zhengzhou City, China/Warren Hills (N.J.)) (Wilkes) def. Kelly Moll (LVC) 6-2, 6-2

3. Alison McDonald (Duncannon, Pa./Susquenita) (Wilkes) def. Charissa Nordall (LVC) 6-1, 6-4

4. Sammy Burkey (LVC) def. Kristin Wilt (Milton, Pa./Milton) (Wilkes) 6-2, 6-2

5. Michelle Knight (Washington, Pa./Trinity) (Wilkes) def. Shayna Heintzelman (LVC) 6-3, 6-1

6. Sara Wagner (LVC) def. Katie Buckley (Danville, Pa./Danville) (Wilkes) 6-3, 6-4

 

Order of finish: 2, 3, 5, 1, 4, 6

 

1. Grodzinski/Heintzelman (LVC) def. Zhang/McDonald (Wilkes) 9-8 (9-7)

2. Bybel/Wilt (Wilkes) def. Moll/Jan White (LVC) 8-0

3. Knight/Rebekah Shanaman (Richland, Pa./ELCO) (Wilkes) def. Nordall/Wagner (LVC) 8-3

 

Order of finish: 2, 3, 1